Effect of Different Concentrations of Molybdenum on Dental Enamel Microhardness, an In Vitro Study Raad Salih Al-Ani* , Mustafa Jalal Abdul-Hadi Alsaifi , Hiba Kareem2, Ali Alsaffa

A B S T R A C T

Introduction: Molybdenum is an essential trace element with several
biological functions and therapeutic uses, and reported to have a cariostatic
effect and is suggested as one of the agents that could be used as an
alternative to fluoride as one the effective ways of preventing dental caries.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of molybdenum compounds on
the microhardness of dental enamel.
Materials and Methods: This in vitro experimental study was performed on
50 extracted sound premolar teeth. These teeth were extracted for an
orthodontic cause. Enamel blocks were divided randomly into five groups.
Micro-hardness of tooth enamel was measured by the Vickers microhardness
test before and after the use of different concentrations of molybdenum
solutions. ANOVA and a Dunnett t-test (2-sided) were used under P < 0.05.
Results: The comparison of means change in microhardness before and after
the use of molybdenum compound showed an increase in microhardness
number for all concentrations of molybdenum solutions with a significant
difference when compared to the control group (p<0.000), and that between
sodium fluoride and sodium molybdate with highly significant difference
between the initial and final measurements (P<0.000). The difference in
sodium molybdate was higher in the concentration 0.2% than in 0.05%
concentration.
Conclusion: Results indicated that the molybdenum compound significantly
increased the microhardness of dental enamel rendering it to be more
resistant to acid attack, and its effect will approximate that of fluoride that
could use in the prevention of dental caries.
Introduction: Molybdenum is an essential trace element with several
biological functions and therapeutic uses, and reported to have a cariostatic
effect and is suggested as one of the agents that could be used as an
alternative to fluoride as one the effective ways of preventing dental caries.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of molybdenum compounds on
the microhardness of dental enamel.
Materials and Methods: This in vitro experimental study was performed on
50 extracted sound premolar teeth. These teeth were extracted for an
orthodontic cause. Enamel blocks were divided randomly into five groups.
Micro-hardness of tooth enamel was measured by the Vickers microhardness
test before and after the use of different concentrations of molybdenum
solutions. ANOVA and a Dunnett t-test (2-sided) were used under P < 0.05.
Results: The comparison of means change in microhardness before and after
the use of molybdenum compound showed an increase in microhardness
number for all concentrations of molybdenum solutions with a significant
difference when compared to the control group (p<0.000), and that between
sodium fluoride and sodium molybdate with highly significant difference
between the initial and final measurements (P<0.000). The difference in
sodium molybdate was higher in the concentration 0.2% than in 0.05%
concentration.
Conclusion: Results indicated that the molybdenum compound significantly
increased the microhardness of dental enamel rendering it to be more
resistant to acid attack, and its effect will approximate that of fluoride that
could use in the prevention of dental caries.